One of the most important things you can do when job searching is to demonstrate to companies how well your qualifications match the positions you apply for. This will make it easier for the hiring manager to consider you a candidate worthy of an interview.
Tips to Show Your Fit to Employers
It’s important to focus on the most relevant skills and strengths when writing your resume, cover letters, and during interviews. The more you can show your alignment with the position and demonstrate to the employer how you can add value to the organization, the greater your chances of success in your job search.
Carefully Analyze the Job Advertisement
Job advertisements are typically divided into several sections. Expect to find: company information, details about the required qualifications for applicants, a description of the responsibilities related to the role, and instructions on how to apply. Some job ads may be brief, while others may include more details about the job and the company. Review the job advertisement carefully so you are aware of what the employer is looking for.
Create a List of Your Qualifications
If the job is a good match, the next step is to create a link between your skills and the employer’s requirements by preparing a list of the preferred qualifications for the ideal candidate for the targeted job. If the job advertisement is well-written and detailed, you may be able to compile much of the list directly from the advertisement.
Obtain More Information
Sometimes, job advertisements are very short and do not reveal much about the employer’s expectations. Try researching the company’s website, as they may have a longer description in the careers section of their site than the advertisement you saw. Also, look up job boards like Indeed using the same job title to get an idea of what other employers are looking for in candidates. Additionally, search Google to see similar job descriptions. For example, if you are applying for a Credit Analyst position, try searching with the phrase “Credit Analyst job description.” Here’s how to use advanced search options to find job information.
Required Skills
When you’re unsure of the skills or qualities to include, check this list of skills for resumes, cover letters, and interviews. It includes general skills that employers desire, as well as skills required for a variety of professions. Incorporate the most relevant skills in your resume and cover letter.
Consult Others
If you are really excited about a particular job, meet professionals in the field and ask them about the skills and qualities they need to excel in their roles. Connect with college alumni through your college’s career center and alumni office, LinkedIn contacts, and family friends to create a list of contacts for these informational interviews.
Match Your Qualifications to the Job
Once you have prepared a detailed list of qualifications for the targeted job, review each item on the list and think about how you can demonstrate that you possess that skill. Write a sentence about as many qualifications as you can, explaining how you used that skill or demonstrated that quality in a work, volunteer, academic, or extracurricular setting.
Organize Your Qualifications in the Cover Letter
Arrange the sentences regarding your qualifications and incorporate them into your cover letter. Write a statement at the beginning that highlights 2-4 qualifications that make you an excellent candidate for the job. Your goal is to sell your qualifications to the hiring manager. For example, for a bank teller position, you might say:
“My strong math skills, customer service orientation, attention to detail, and ability to work accurately make this position an excellent fit for me.”
In the following paragraphs, you should provide examples of how and where you applied those skills.
Review
Update Your Resume
Review your current resume and ensure that you have incorporated as many phrases regarding the preferred qualifications for the target job as possible. Sneak high-priority phrases into the beginning of the description to garner the most attention.
If you have two or three jobs that are more qualified than others, you may want to develop a main heading at the top of your resume, such as “Relevant Experience” (if these are not your most recent jobs).
Take a few minutes to update the job descriptions you’ve held. Enhancing the descriptions of your job roles can make your resume much more compelling.
Include Headings
Some candidates may have clusters of experiences that align with the key qualifications. For example, in jobs that require writing and event planning, candidates can create headings such as “Writing Experience” and “Event Planning Experience” and place relevant experiences in those sections of the resume.
Note: Relevant headings will quickly draw the employer’s attention to your key qualifications.
How to Mention Your Qualifications During Job Interviews
Before the interview, review your list of strongest points related to the job that you prepared while applying. Look for opportunities during the interview to insert phrases about your skills and qualities.
When open-ended questions are asked, such as “Why should we hire you for this position?”, mention 4-6 of your most valuable traits that match the key qualifications for the available opportunity. The most compelling phrases will include evidence of how you successfully applied those strengths to add value in previous situations.
Post-Interview Follow-Up
You can also reiterate your most qualified assets when writing your thank-you letters. For example, you might say:
“My strong analytical skills and presentation abilities – along with my proficiency in statistical software – will help me make a strong contribution if hired for this position.”
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Sources:
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to back up the facts in our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and maintain the accuracy, reliability, and quality of our content.
Ladders. “You have 6 seconds to make an impression: How employees view your resume.” Accessed January 14, 2020.
CareerOneStop. “Why you need a great resume.” Accessed January 14, 2020.
CareerOneStop. “How can I write a cover letter?” Accessed January 14, 2020.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-match-your-qualifications-to-a-job-2060941
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